Archive · 2 Oct 2025
Sindur Khela: Celebrating Women During Durga Puja
Sindur Khela is a special, colorful game played by married women during Durga Puja.
It happens on the last day, when everyone says goodbye to the goddess Durga.
Women put red powder (vermilion) on Durga and then on each other, as a symbol of marriage and good wishes for their families.
It started in Bengal about 200 years ago and is a joyful time where women share sweets and celebrate their strength and unity as the festival ends.
It is a symbolic farewell to Durga before her immersion.
Sindur Khela is a ritual of applying vermilion, part of the Durga Puja festivities.
It is primarily celebrated by married women on the final day of Durga Puja, called Vijaya Dashami.
The ritual involves applying sindoor to the Goddess and each other.
The tradition is believed to have originated in Bengal around 200 years ago.
It symbolizes the strength of womanhood, family well-being, and marks the end of Durga Puja.
- Who
- Married women
- What
- A ritual during Durga Puja involving applying vermillion.
- When
- Vijaya Dashami
- Where
- Primarily Bengal
- Why
- To celebrate womanhood, family well-being, and the end of the festival
- Event
- Sindur Khela
- Festival
- Durga Puja
- Significance
- Celebration of womanhood and farewell to Durga
- Main Participants
- Married women
- Key Actions
- Applying vermilion on Durga and each other
- Origin
- Bengal, approximately 200 years ago
